Experience The Old West, Then Stay At One Of North Carolina's Oldest Hotels
By Carolyn Harmon|Published November 14, 2023
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Carolyn Harmon
Author
Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Experience the Old West in North Carolina at Tweetsie Railroad, then stay at The Inn at Ragged Gardens, an enchanted 1900s manor in the historic village of Blowing Rock. The lovely inn is a great place to book a reunion with 12 spacious rooms and suites and even features its own restaurant. And the best part is the easy access to Main Street which offers sweet boutiques, art galleries, and beautiful parks. And for some old-time western fun, Tweetsie offers a memorable day complete with historic interpreters.
You'll board this Wild West train ride on one of the historic narrow-gauge steam locomotives from April through October.
Tweetsie Railroad, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
The festivities are available on select days throughout November and December, including a 20-minute, open-air train ride at night! The three-mile route is lined with more than 1 million Christmas lights. Find out more about the event on the Tweetsie Railroad Christmas event web page.
After the Wild West fun, treat yourself to a charming getaway surrounded by formal and "ragged gardens" at this early 1900s manor.
The Inn at Ragged Gardens, 203 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
A Music on the Lawn series is also featured at the inn each Friday from May through October (weather permitting).
Established in 1965, the Best Cellar Restaurant has earned an excellent reputation for great service and cuisine as it prepares all entrees and desserts in-house every day.
Some of the elaborate meals include New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Crab Cakes, and Alaskan Halibut Piccata. And a room at the inn includes a generous made-to-order breakfast.
